A Fortress of Stone and Caves in Turkey

Such is the case at The House Hotel Cappadocia, a Turkish refuge set in a complex of ancient caves
and stone houses, now open in the mountainous center of the country.

You’ll find this place in the relatively secluded town of Ortahisar. It means “middle fortress” in
Turkish, a reference to its imposing rock formation. Its defenses are now pretty easy to penetrate (just
make a reservation), but its spoils still remain—original fireplaces, frescoes, a winepress and
fermentation vat buried in the stone. (Take a gander for yourself.)

Since the whole place basically seems like a cave turned Zen room, your first order of business will be
finding the actual spa. Hint: it’s the place with four treatment rooms, a Turkish hammam (you probably saw
that coming) and two “adventure showers” (but probably not that). And it’s not the place with the
terrace, stone oven and foods like pide and lahmacun. Because that’s the restaurant.

And heads up. In January they’ll open 16 more rooms and an underground chapel for... yes, weddings, but
also concerts.